Public Speaking Night 2025
On Wednesday 13 August, the David Heath Gymnasium and adjoining H-Block rooms came alive with the voices of our talented public speakers for the 2025 Public Speaking Night. This new venue and format proved to be a great success, allowing each heat to run seamlessly in its own space while creating an exciting atmosphere for our students and guests.
The evening was a culmination of a semester’s worth of preparation, guided by our dedicated coaching team. Each speaker took to the stage with poise and enthusiasm, delivering speeches that were engaging, insightful, and thought-provoking. It was inspiring to see our students’ confidence and communication skills on display, and to witness the way they connected with their audiences.
From heartfelt personal stories to sharp social commentary, our students demonstrated not only technical skill in public speaking, but also creativity, courage, and the ability to engage and inspire. This was truly a celebration of their hard work and growth throughout the term.
Award Winners
The following students were recognised for their performances during the evening:
Year 7
Heat 1: Winner – Harmony Salim | Runner-Up – Liam Laboudeuse
Heat 2: Winner – Yvonne Fernandez | Runner-Up – Leo Dumbell
Year 8
Heat 1: Winner – Tanisha Laxman | Runner-Up – Angelina Gibson
Heat 2: Winner – Charvi Naidu | Runner-Up – Ahlia Lang
Year 9
Heat 1: Winner – Aiden Augustine | Runner-Up – Gabrielle Dirk
Heat 2: Winner – Gwyneth Pranata | Runner-Up – Arlie Morris
Year 10
Heat 1: Winner – Audrey Budiono | Runner-Up – Charlotte Dempsey
Heat 2: Winner – Jeffery Sackey | Runner-Up – Anastacia Kirby
Senior
Heat 1: Winner – Jefferson Blackburn | Runner-Up – Dorothy Lai
Heat 2: Winner – Ellie Tjing | Runner-Up – Sophea Andrew
Impromptu Award
Senior Winner – Dorothy Lai
Public Speaking Spirit Award
Aldrich Kartadinata
Gratitude and Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to all who made this evening possible, our student participants, coaches, adjudicators, alumni supporters, staff, parents, and guests. Your contributions, encouragement, and energy are what make this event such a highlight on the College calendar.
Public Speaking is an important part of the College’s commitment to developing articulate, confident, and community-minded graduates, and I look forward to building on this success in 2026.
Warm regards,
Mrs Taryn MacCallum
Public Speaking Coordinator